Sunflower Facts
That sunny, broad face of the sunflower remains one of the cheeriest sights to see; however, there is more to this bright flower than meets the eye, as these sunflower facts will prove.
The sunflower performs a daily worship of the sun prior to blooming, which may be one reason that many fall in love with the flower. Heliotropism is the scientific name of the phenomenon which has the sunflower turning its face to the sun; one its notable features. Throughout the day, this incredible flower bud will follow the sun; ending in the evening as it faces west to watch the sunset on the horizon. Overnight, the plant readjusts the flower bud so it will be ready to greet the sun again the next morning. The bright and friendly disposition the flower seems to exude is another that endears it to the hearts of many.
Besides its popularity for ornamental use, the sunflower, facts show have many other uses that are important. It is a valuable food source for both humans and animals, for example. For human consumption, the seeds are delicious and have multiple uses. When roasted or raw, they can be eaten out of hand as a nutritious snack. When dried and ground, the sunflower seeds and the seed casings are a great substitute for coffee, used in the same manner as coffee grounds. The seeds contain viable oil that, when expressed, can be used in both cooking and in making soaps.
In early days, Indians were the forerunners of the sunflower fan. They ground the seeds into a flour to use in making breads and soups to nourish their families. They also used the oil to cook, soften leather products they fashioned, and for a salve and hair conditioner.
Additional sunflower facts show even more uses for this amazing plant. Residue from the oil forms cakes that are valuable for mixing with cattle and chicken feed. The seeds provide great winter food for a number of birds when either left on the seedheads for natural collection or removed and placed in bird feeders. And for practical use, consider the pith within the stalk of the sunflower; facts of its buoyancy have proven it to be an excellent ingredient in the construction of life preservers.
Today, many farmers concentrate fields simply for use in cultivating the sunflower, facts show. Missouri and Minnesota are some of the leaders in production of sunflowers, although farming the flower is growing in popularity and can be found in most states at some level.
Many do grow the sunflower simply to enjoy those cheery, bright faces, while others enjoy the beauty first then the seeds later as a delicious snack. Still others use the plant for commercial purposes; farming it to benefit from sunflower facts showing it to be a multi-purpose plant. It is true there is more than meets the eye with the sunflower.